And manager Chris Hughton has expressed excitement with the options and experience the defender brings to his team.

“I am delighted to welcome Leon to the club. He will add more depth to our defensive options, and I am pleased to get our first piece of business done so early in the summer,” Hughton told club website.

“He is in the peak years of his career and I am sure he will integrate well into the squad.

“He also has valuable experience, having played in the Bundesliga, the Europa League and at international level.”

Article continues below

The German-born defender started his career at Hannover 96 before turning out for Werder Bremen, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Darmstadt 98 and Mainz 05.